Sink Splash Guard Device

ABSTRACT

A sink splash guard device is provided. The device is primarily comprised of a body with at least one leg. The body is angled and may have raised edges such that water that splashes onto the body drains back down the body into a sink when the device is positioned behind a sink and in front of a backsplash. As a result, the body prevents water from collecting and forming mildew on the area of the countertop between the backsplash and sink. The body may have perforations or other guidelines that allow the body to be easily cut to fit any backsplash area behind a sink and also fit around any configuration of faucet.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S.Provisional Application No. 63/351,974, which was filed on Jun. 14,2022, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of kitchen sinksplash guards. More specifically, the present invention relates to asink splash guard device that can be placed behind a sink and faucetwhich prevents water from splashing and collecting on the backsplasharea behind the sink and faucet to prevent mildew/bacteria buildup.Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto.Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the presentinvention are also equally applicable to other like applications,devices, and methods of manufacture.

BACKGROUND

When using a kitchen sink to wash dishes, water often splashes behindthe faucet of the sink. Because of the small size of this area, cleaningsaid area can be difficult. However, if the area is not adequatelycleaned, standing water can cause mildew and bacteria to form on thecountertop. This is undesirable as it poses a health risk.

Therefore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a splash guarddevice for kitchen sinks. More specifically, there exists a long-feltneed in the art for a sink splash guard device that prevents water fromcollecting on the countertop behind a kitchen sink. There also exists along-felt need in the art for a sink splash guard device that preventsmildew and bacteria buildup due to standing water on the countertopbehind a kitchen sink. Further, there exists a long-felt need in the artfor a sink splash guard device that prevents water from collecting onthe countertop behind a kitchen sink which can be universally applied toall sizes and configurations of sinks, faucets, and countertop space.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodimentthereof, comprises a sink splash guard device. The device is primarilycomprised of a body with at least one leg. The body is angled and mayhave raised edges, such that water that splashes onto the body drainsback down the body into a sink when the device is positioned behind asink and in front of a backsplash. The body may have perforations orother guidelines that allow the body to be easily cut to fit anybacksplash area behind a sink and also fit around any configuration offaucet.

In this manner, the sink splash guard device of the present inventionaccomplishes all the foregoing objectives and provides a splash guarddevice for kitchen sinks. More specifically, the device prevents waterfrom collecting on the countertop behind a kitchen sink. In turn, thisprevents mildew and bacteria buildup from standing water on thecountertop behind a kitchen sink. Further, the device can be universallyapplied to all sizes and configurations of sinks, faucets, andcountertop space.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary to provide a basicunderstanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summaryis not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identifykey/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its solepurpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as aprelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodimentthereof, comprises a sink splash guard device. The device is primarilycomprised of a body with at least one leg. The device is primarily madefrom a waterproof and/or mildew-resistant material. The body ispreferably comprised of at least one raised edge on the top surface thatprevents water from a sink from spilling around the surrounding area ofthe device. Instead, the raised edge funnels said water back into thesink. More specifically, the body preferably forms an angle less than 90degrees such that the top surface slopes downwards from the rear of thebody towards a sink.

The leg is comprised of at least one fastener that attaches to at leastone reciprocating fastener on the bottom surface of the body. Thefasteners may be any type of reciprocating fasteners such as, but notlimited to, male and female fasteners, snap button, hook and loop,magnet, etc. The leg has an angled top edge (of an angle less than 90degrees) that slants the body to form an angle less than 90 degrees,wherein the rear of the body sits taller than the front of the body topromote drainage back into the sink.

When used, the device is placed around a faucet and behind a sinkbetween the sink and the backsplash to prevent water from collecting andmold from forming in said area. In one embodiment, the body is comprisedof at least one cutout or opening that allows the faucet to remainunobstructed by the device. In another embodiment, the body is comprisedof a first perforation line or guideline and a second perforation lineor guideline. The first perforation allows a user to customize the widthof the body to custom fit the body to the size of the area between thesink and backsplash by tearing and discarding the unwanted portion ofthe body. In addition, the second perforation may be curved and/or acircle that allows a user to create the cutout to accommodate a faucetby tearing the section of the body away from said area.

The present invention is also comprised of a method of using the device.First, a device is provided comprised of a body with a bottom surfacewith a first fastener, and a leg with an angled top edge and a secondfastener. Then, the device can be cut or torn viaperforations/guidelines to form a custom shape that can receive a faucetand fit in the area between a sink and a backsplash. Next, the secondfastener of the leg can be attached to the first fastener of the bottomsurface. Then, the device can be placed in the area between a sink and abacksplash to direct water which splashes from the sink back into thesink via the angle created by the leg.

Accordingly, the sink splash guard device of the present invention isparticularly advantageous as it provides a splash guard device forkitchen sinks. More specifically, the device prevents water fromcollecting on the countertop behind a kitchen sink. In turn, thisprevents mildew and bacteria buildup from standing water on thecountertop behind a kitchen sink. Further, the device can be universallyapplied to all sizes and configurations of sinks, faucets, andcountertop space. In this manner, the sink splash guard device providesa novel solution for standing water behind a faucet.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certainillustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein inconnection with the following description and the annexed drawings.These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various waysin which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and areintended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Otheradvantages and novel features will become apparent from the followingdetailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description refers to provided drawings in which similar referencecharacters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and inwhich:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of asink splash guard device of the present invention in accordance with thedisclosed architecture;

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of one potential embodiment of a sinksplash guard device of the present invention in accordance with thedisclosed architecture;

FIG. 3 illustrates a front perspective view of one potential embodimentof a sink splash guard device of the present invention installed behinda sink in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of a method of using one potentialembodiment of a sink splash guard device of the present invention inaccordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, whereinlike reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout.In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth to provide a thorough understandingthereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can bepracticed without these specific details. In other instances, well-knownstructures and devices are shown in block diagram form to facilitate adescription thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. Itshould be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate thedescription of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustivedescription of the invention and do not limit the scope of theinvention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all theaspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of thefeatures described herein from different embodiments may be combined.

As noted above, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a splashguard device for kitchen sinks. More specifically, there exists along-felt need in the art for a sink splash guard device that preventswater from collecting on the countertop behind a kitchen sink. Therealso exists a long-felt need in the art for a sink splash guard devicethat prevents mildew and bacteria buildup from standing water on acountertop behind a kitchen sink. Further, there exists a long-felt needin the art for a sink splash guard device that prevents water fromcollecting on a countertop behind a kitchen sink that can be universallyapplied to all sizes and configurations of sinks, faucets, andcountertop space.

The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is comprised of asink splash guard device primarily comprised of a body with at least oneleg. The device is primarily made from a waterproof and/ormildew-resistant material and has at least one raised edge on the topsurface that prevents water from a sink from spilling around thesurrounding area of the device. Said raised edge funnels the water backinto the sink. More specifically, the body preferably forms an angleless than 90 degrees such that the top surface slopes downwards from therear of the body towards a sink.

The leg is comprised of at least one fastener that attaches to at leastone reciprocating fastener on the bottom surface of the body. Thefasteners may be any type of reciprocating fasteners such as, but notlimited to, male and female fasteners, snap button, hook and loop,magnet, etc. The leg has an angled top edge (of an angle less than 90degrees) that slants the body to form an angle less than 90 degreeswherein the rear of the body sits taller than the front of the body topromote drainage back into the sink.

When used, the device is placed around a faucet and behind a sinkbetween the sink and the backsplash to prevent water from collecting andmold from forming in said area. In one embodiment, the body is comprisedof at least one cutout or opening that allows the faucet to remainunobstructed by the device. In another embodiment, the body is comprisedof a first perforation line or guideline, and a second perforation lineor guideline that allow a user to customize the width of the body tocustom fit the body to the size of the area between the sink andbacksplash by tearing and discarding the unwanted portion of the bodyand to create the cutout to accommodate a faucet by tearing the sectionof the body away from said area.

The present invention is also comprised of a method of using the device.First, a device is provided comprised of a body with a bottom surfacewith a first fastener, and a leg with an angled top edge and a secondfastener. Then, the device can be cut or torn viaperforations/guidelines to form a custom shape that can receive a faucetand fit in the area between a sink and a backsplash. Next, the secondfastener of the leg can be attached to the first fastener of the bottomsurface. Then, the device can be placed in the area between a sink and abacksplash to direct water from the sink that splashes back into thesink via the angle created by the leg.

Accordingly, the sink splash guard device of the present invention isparticularly advantageous as it provides a splash guard device forkitchen sinks. More specifically, the device prevents water fromcollecting on the countertop behind a kitchen sink. In turn, thisprevents mildew and bacteria buildup from standing water on thecountertop behind a kitchen sink. Further, the device can be universallyapplied to all sizes and configurations of sinks, faucets, andcountertop space.

Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspectiveview of one potential embodiment of a sink splash guard device 100 ofthe present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. Thedevice 100 is primarily comprised of a body 110 with at least one leg160. The device 100 is primarily made from a rigid plastic material or arubber material. Said material is preferably waterproof and/or mildewresistant. The body 110 is preferably rectangular in shape but may beany shape in different embodiments.

The body 110 is preferably comprised of at least one raised edge 140 onthe top surface 120 of the device 100. The edge 140 is raised above thetop surface 120 to prevent water from a sink 12 from spilling around thesurrounding area of the device 100, and instead funnels said water backinto the sink 12.

More specifically, the body 110 preferably forms an angle less than 90degrees, such that the top surface 120 slopes downwards from the rear112 of the body 110 towards a sink 12. In another embodiment, the body110 is non-angled. In this embodiment, the bottom surface 150 of thebody 110 receives at least one leg 160, as seen in FIG. 2 .

The leg 160 is comprised of at least one fastener 162 that attaches toat least one reciprocating fastener 152 on the bottom surface 150. Thefasteners 152,162 may be any type of reciprocating fasteners such as,but not limited to, male and female fasteners, snap button, hook andloop, magnet, etc. As a result, a user can remove the legs 160 if theydesire to have the device 100 sit flat. In another embodiment, the legs160 may be fixedly attached to the body 110. The leg has an angled topedge 166 (of an angle less than 90 degrees) that slants the body 110 toform an angle less than 90 degrees wherein the rear 112 of the body 110sits taller than the front 118 of the body 110 to promote drainage backinto a sink. The exact angle of the top edge 166 may vary in differentembodiments.

When used, the device 100 is placed around a faucet 10 and behind a sink12 between the sink 12 and the backsplash 14 to prevent water fromcollecting and mold from forming in said area, as seen in FIG. 3 . Inone embodiment, the body 110 is comprised of at least one cutout 114 oropening that allows the faucet 10 to remain unobstructed by the device100.

In another embodiment, the body 110 is comprised of a first perforationline or guideline 170, and a second perforation line or guideline 180.In one embodiment, the first perforation 170 allows a user to customizethe width 190 of the body 110 to custom fit the body 110 to the size ofthe area between the sink 12 and backsplash 14 by tearing and discardingthe unwanted portion of the body 110. In addition, the secondperforation 180 may be curved and/or a circle that allows a user tocreate the cutout 114 to accommodate a faucet 10 by tearing the sectionof the body 110 away from said area. In another embodiment, theperforations 170,180 are printed guidelines that serve as a guide to aidthe user in cutting excess body 110 material away as needed to customfit the device 100.

In a further embodiment, the top surface 120 may also be comprised of atleast one side wall 130. The side wall 130 may form a storage area withother side walls 130 and/or at least one edge 140. As a result, a usercan store a plurality of cleaning or cooking-related items near the sink12.

The body 110 may also be comprised of at least one indicia 116. Theindicia 116 may be in the form of a simulative pattern, a design, etc.,that may blend in or simulate the appearance of the existing sink 12and/or backsplash 14. In this manner, the indicia 116 improves theaesthetic ability of the device 100.

The present invention is also comprised of a method of using 200 thedevice 100, as seen in FIG. 4 . First, a device 100 is providedcomprised of an angled body 110 that may also be comprised of a bottomsurface 150 with a first fastener 152, and a leg 160 with an angled topedge 166 and a second fastener 162 [Step 202]. Then, the device 100 canbe cut or torn via perforations/guidelines 170,180 to form a customshape that can receive a faucet 10 and fit in the area between a sink 12and a backsplash 14 [Step 204]. Next, the second fastener 162 of the leg160 can be attached to the first fastener 152 of the bottom surface 150[Step 206]. Then, the device 100 can be placed in the area between asink 12 and a backsplash 14 to direct water from the sink 12 thatsplashes back into the sink 12 via the angle created by the leg 160[Step 208].

Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claimsto refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the artwill appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature orcomponent by different names. This document does not intend todistinguish between components or features that differ in name but notstructure or function. As used herein “sink splash guard device” and“device” are interchangeable and refer to the sink splash guard device100 of the present invention.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the sink splash guard device 100 of thepresent invention and its various components can be of any suitable sizeand configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overallconcept of the invention, provided that they accomplish the above-statedobjectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that thesize, configuration, and material of the sink splash guard device 100 asshown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that manyother sizes and shapes of the sink splash guard device 100 are wellwithin the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions ofthe sink splash guard device 100 are important design parameters foruser convenience, the sink splash guard device 100 may be of any size,shape, and/or configuration that ensures optimal performance during useand/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.

Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplaryembodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the presentinvention. While the embodiments described above refer to particularfeatures, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments havingdifferent combinations of features and embodiments that do not includeall the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the presentinvention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications,and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with allequivalents thereof.

What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subjectmatter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivablecombination of components or methodologies for purposes of describingthe claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art mayrecognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimedsubject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter isintended to embrace all such alterations, modifications, and variationsthat fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in eitherthe detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to beinclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising”is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.

What is claimed is:
 1. A sink splash guard device comprising: a bodycomprised of an edge; a first line; and a second line.
 2. The sinksplash guard device of claim 1, wherein the body is comprised of aplastic material.
 3. The sink splash guard device of claim 1, whereinthe body is comprised of a rubber material.
 4. The sink splash guarddevice of claim 1, wherein the body is comprised of a waterproofmaterial.
 5. The sink splash guard device of claim 1, wherein the edgeis comprised of a raised edge above a top surface of the body.
 6. Thesink splash guard device of claim 1, wherein the body forms an angleless than 90 degrees.
 7. The sink splash guard device of claim 1,wherein the first line is comprised of a guideline.
 8. The sink splashguard device of claim 1, wherein the second line is comprised of aguideline.
 9. The sink splash guard device of claim 1, wherein the firstline is comprised of a perforation line.
 10. The sink splash guarddevice of claim 1, wherein the second line is comprised of a perforationline.
 11. A sink splash guard device comprising: a body comprised of anedge and a bottom surface; a first fastener; a leg comprised of anangled top edge; a second fastener; a first line; and a second line. 12.The sink splash guard device of claim 11, wherein the first line iscomprised of a guideline.
 13. The sink splash guard device of claim 11,wherein the second line is comprised of a guideline.
 14. The sink splashguard device of claim 11, wherein the first line is comprised of aperforation line.
 15. The sink splash guard device of claim 11, whereinthe second line is comprised of a perforation line.
 16. The sink splashguard device of claim 11, wherein the angled top edge forms an angleless than 90 degrees.
 17. The sink splash guard device of claim 11,wherein the first fastener is comprised of a male fastener.
 18. The sinksplash guard device of claim 11, wherein the second fastener iscomprised of a female fastener.
 19. The sink splash guard device ofclaim 11, wherein the top surface is comprised of a side wall.
 20. Amethod of using a sink splash guard device, the method comprising thesteps of: providing a sink splash guard device comprised of an angledbody; cutting or tearing the body along a plurality of perforations or aguideline of the body; and placing the device in an area between a sinkand a backsplash.